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Home » Theater Guide » Location » United States » Massachusetts » Dennis » Cape Cinema

Cape Cinema

Dennis, MA
35 Hope Lane
, Dennis, MA 02638 United States
(map)
508.385.2503
Status: Open
Screens: Single Screen
Style: Art Deco, Colonial Revival
Function: Movies (Independent)
Seats: 315
Chain: Independent
Architect: Alfred E. Poor
Firm: Unknown
Cape Cinema
The subdued Colonial exterior of the Cape Cinema gives no hint of the beautiful murals that lie within
Photo courtesy of Ross Melnick
Opened in 1930, the Cape Cinema's quiet, colonial exterior belies the beautiful murals that adorn the walls of this historic theater. The Art Deco treatments indoors are hidden by the Cape's church-inspired design.

Inside the theater on the ceiling is a mural which is one of the largest indoor murals in the U.S. It was designed by Rockwell Kent and Jo Melzner. The mural depicts Kent's visions of heaven. To go along with this, the original curtain, which is still very much functional, is
painted with a large sunburst covering it.

The theater is located on an arts complex which also includes the Cape Playhouse and a museum. The theater seats around 315 and is modeled nearly exactly after a church located in Centerville, MA.

The Cape continues to show the best art house films and is closed during the winter.

Related Websites

Cape Cinema (Official)
Contributed by Ross Melnick, "E.E."

YOUR COMMENTS

 
This medium-sized theatre, which looks like a New England country church from the outside, is one of the joys of Cape Cod. I just attended a Wednesday evening showing of the delightful film set in Mongolia, "The Story of the Weeping Camel." The audience was large and appreciative of this unusual work, and suggested a clientele that was highly attuned to movies of artistic merit. The previously programmed feature had been "Fahrenheit 9/11" which had played only its allotted two weeks (to smash business!) so that it would not occupy the cinema's single screen the whole summer and so the cinema could provide a variety of programs for the season. A notice was posted at the entrance and boxoffice to remind people who may have come for the Moore film that it was no longer playing.

The seats here are not regular theatre seats but rather wide padded comfy-chairs with metal arm-rests. They do not have a flip-up seat. The chairs are all covered with clean white fitted coverings. The justly famous ceiling mural mentioned in the Ross Melnick description is a stunning vision and makes you feel that you are in a special place.

The laudable Center Stage Cafe'/Restaurant is steps away in this beautiful complex of separate buildings that includes the Cape Playhouse, a museum, and the cinema. One could spend an entire day here enjoying the cultural/theatrical/cinematic offerings as well as the good food. And one should!
posted by Gerald A. DeLuca on Jul 15, 2004 at 4:36am
A framed poster in the lobby calls attention to the fact that the 1939 premiere of "The Wizard of Oz" took place at the Cape Cinema before its New York showing. According to the manager, Margaret Hamilton (Elvira Gulch/Wicked Witch) was appearing at the adjacent Cape Playhouse and arranged for the event.
posted by PaulNoble on Mar 10, 2005 at 8:18pm
The projection booth
http://www.redballoon.net/~snorwood/gallery/album06
posted by RobertR on Jul 13, 2005 at 8:17am
There is a MGM Theatre Photograph and Report form for the Cape Cinema with an exterior photo dated May 1941. The Report refers to it simply as "Cinema". In the photo, there is a large portable poster board next to the entrance. The Report states that the Cinema has been presenting MGM product for over 5 years; that it was less than 15 years old; and was in Deluxe condition. There were 274 seats on the main floor and 40 in the balcony, total: 314 seats. The Patronage was described as "DeLuxe Class - Summer". There were no other cinemas in Dennis in 1941 and the population was 2,000.
posted by Ron Salters on Apr 5, 2007 at 8:45am
Some pix of the outside : renowned for it's beautiful gardens ( something you rarely hear of in relation to cinemas !

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevp/1954436739/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevp/1954436723/in/photostream/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevp/1954412479/
posted by kev phelan on Nov 11, 2007 at 5:21am
The boxoffice record at the Cape Cinema was broken by a 5-day engagement of a new film "The Golden Boys" which played Nov. 17 - 21 and grossed $ 36,290. The movie, originally titled "Chatham", features David Carradine, Bruce Dern, Rip Torn and Mariel Hemingway. This was reported in the entertainment section of the Boston Herald of Nov. 26, 2007.
posted by Ron Salters on Nov 28, 2007 at 10:25am
Paul: Your March 10, 2005 post is most interesting in regards to the real first premiere was held for The Wizard of Oz due to Miss Margaret Hamilton.
posted by Patsy on Mar 3, 2008 at 8:02am
Maybe for the East Coast, but not world premiere,
http://www.ozclub.org/reference/trivia/oztrvfct.htm
posted by HowardBHaas on Mar 3, 2008 at 8:07am
Howard: Thanks for the clarification and the Oz Fun Facts.
posted by Patsy on Mar 3, 2008 at 8:09am
Any interior photos of this theatre?
posted by Patsy on Mar 3, 2008 at 8:09am
this one on their website

http://capecinema.com/
posted by kev phelan on Mar 4, 2008 at 2:11am
It is amazing this theatre has survived but as I remember it was the only cinema within miles. When I worked there in the early 70's the original VitaPhone equipment was still being used. The projection and sound system carried patents held by Edison. A motor generator was used to provide the DC for the antique vacuum tubes. Of course the illumination for the projectors was supplied by carbon arch. It is indeed a historic theatre. To bad the other theatres on Cape Cod didn't survive.
posted by Roger A. on May 1, 2008 at 3:18pm
The address on the website is 35 Hope Lane.

posted by Lost Memory on Oct 7, 2008 at 2:15pm
Here is a recent photo.

posted by Lost Memory on Oct 7, 2008 at 7:35pm
This site has some photos.

posted by Lost Memory on Nov 7, 2008 at 12:46pm
A 2009 interior photo can be seen here.

posted by Lost Memory on Jan 6, 2009 at 6:35pm
It looks like a sweet little cinema theatre. Thanks for the photos, Lost Memory.
posted by MPol on Mar 20, 2009 at 6:28pm
have just purchased 4 postcards from ebay : herewith two lo-res links

: higher to follow : what an amazing cinema !

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevp/3473379556/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevp/3472569701/in/photostream/
posted by kev phelan on Apr 25, 2009 at 5:47am
1983 Photo

posted by Lost Memory on May 15, 2009 at 4:06am
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